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The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast

Andrew Barnikel, Adam Tamburello, Connor Wright
MLS
Major League Soccer
Jaime Moreno
Joseph Martinez
Carlos Ruiz
Sebastian Giovinco
Robbie Keane
US Open Cup
Toronto FC
Houston Dynamo
Landon Donovan
Kei Kamara
Clint Dempsey
Chris Wondolowski
Chicago Fire
David Beckham
Premier League
New England Revolution
Copa America
Don Garber

We are The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast! Your home for all things MLS, Past Present and Future! Hosted by Andrew Barnikel and Connor Wright

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes386Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSportsSports NewsNews

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Latest Episodes

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week, with only a couple games left in the season, we're discussing who will make the MLS playoffs. We are going to go team by team and look at their remaining schedule to determ... more

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're catching up on some recent MLS news. This week we're going to be talking about Caleb Porter out in New England, followed by the rumor that Messi and Inter Miami ... more

In this episode, we are joined by Elias from The Ball Is Round Montreal to chat about what went wrong for CF Montreal to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025!

Recorded on: 9/15/25

#MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #ch... more

YouTube

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our series covering all things top 10. As previous listeners will know, there is nothing we like more than yelling at each other and being yelled at by you, so what better way to entice t... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

John Rawlins
Orlando City supporter and podcast host
Loud and Proud Orlando
Episode: Episode 373: Don Garber's state of the league address ft John Rawlins
Adri Mehmeti
Midfielder for Red Bull 2 and young talent in MLS Next Pro
Red Bull 2
Episode: Episode 364: The Pathway To The Pros Episode 2: Adri Mehmeti
Matty Dos Santos
Current Red Bull 2 player at the MLS Next Pro level
Red Bull 2
Episode: Episode 347: Life in the Red Bull academy with Matthew Dos Santos
Favian Renkel
Soccer reporter and influencer
Episode: Episode 341: Club World Cup Drama And MLS All Star Game Announced Ft Favian Renkel!
Deon (Nerdy Soccer Guy)
Soccer enthusiast and host of soccer-related content.
Nerdy Soccer Guy
Episode: Episode 339: MLS Executives Give Their Thoughts On The State of MLS, and so do we! ft Nerdy Soccer Guy!
Eli Lesser
A sports content creator and former guest on the show.
EliLesserTV
Episode: Episode 338: A Deep Dive Into MLS' Apple TV Deal ft EliLesserTV!
Maddie Casey
Friend of the podcast and soccer enthusiast
The Royal Riot
Episode: Episode 336: USL Wants A D1 League and Players Speak Out On MLS Roster Rules ft Royal Riot!
Matt Baker
Co-host of Flyover Footy covering soccer in St. Louis
Flyover Footy
Episode: Episode 331: A Not So Deep Dive Into St. Louis City's 2025 Season ft Flyover Footy!
Corey Brady
Soccer journalist and contributor to Waking The Red
Waking The Red
Episode: Episode 327: A Not So Deep Dive Into Toronto FC's 2025 Season ft Waking The Red

Hosts

Andrew Barnikel
Host and Co-host of the show, providing insights and humorous commentary on various topics surrounding Major League Soccer.
Connor Wright
Co-host of the show, engaging in lively debates and analysis on MLS and related soccer topics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 29 ratings
  • Good pod

    Guys do a good job and are talented at podcasting. However knowledge could be stronger. For example how can you repeatedly call the league MVP “Luchy.” It’s Lucho. And similar mistakes that makes me wonder how much soccer you watch. It’s like having an nba podcast and calling him “dabron james.”

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CompetitivePokemonAllTheWay
    United Statesa year ago
  • English

    Please learn how to speak English

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    g3423
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Podcast to get your weekly MLS updates, awesome interview guests from all over the country, and a real fun time overall!

    Podchaser
    5
    Andrew Barnikel
    5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging style and depth of analysis provided by the hosts. Many commend the humor interwoven into discussions, but there are concerns about correctness in player names and facts. Critics mention a desire for more informed commentary, especially regarding player recognition. Overall, the show garners positive feedback for being entertaining and insightful to a dedicated soccer audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#181
Argentina/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 366: Reacting to the 2025 Gold Cup
Q: Your thoughts, shall we go for a third manager in this cycle for the 2026 World Cup?
Don't even bother. It's dumb to fire your coach a year out from the World Cup.
Episode 366: Reacting to the 2025 Gold Cup
Q: What do you think is the biggest worry that you still leave this tournament with?
The back line is still a little bit of a question mark for me, though there are good pieces. I'm worried about Tim Ream getting older and the other depth pieces.
Episode 364: The Pathway To The Pros Episode 2: Adri Mehmeti
Q: Tell us a little bit about your debut. Who was it against?
It was against Hudson Valley Hammers in the Open Cup, and I came on around the 70th minute in a comfortable game where we were up 4-0.
Episode 364: The Pathway To The Pros Episode 2: Adri Mehmeti
Q: Can you talk to us a little bit about your path to the MLS Next Pro team?
I started in the Academy since U12 and rose through all the age groups, finally breaking into the professional environment after winning the U15 tournament.
Episode 362: USMNT friendlies review and Gold Cup preview
Q: Is it time to panic?
A little bit, honestly.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Designated Players

What is The Designated Players about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focuses on Major League Soccer (MLS) and covers a wide range of topics including player transfers, coaching strategies, league developments, and team performances. Notable discussions frequently revolve around current events in MLS, prominent figures like Lionel Messi, and historical analyses of the league's top players and coaches. The hosts engage in humorous debates and provide in-depth analysis, which likely appeals to passionate soccer fans and those interested in the dynamics of North American soccer. This podcast stands out for its emphasis on both the present and historical aspects of the sport, thus offering insight into how the league has evolved and what the future may hold.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Designated Players?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Designated Players:

1. Soccerwise
2. MLS Aces Podcast
3. MLS Now Podcast
4. Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ...
5. The Designated Pundits | MLS Analysis, Expert Picks, and Insider Discussions

How many episodes of The Designated Players are there?

The Designated Players launched 6 years ago and published 386 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Designated Players?

Recent guests on The Designated Players include:

1. John Rawlins
2. Adri Mehmeti
3. Matty Dos Santos
4. Favian Renkel
5. Deon (Nerdy Soccer Guy)
6. Eli Lesser
7. Maddie Casey
8. Matt Baker

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